Costco Shooting in Virginia: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

A knife wielding woman who had been handing out free pizza was shot and killed and a Loudon County Sheriff’s deputy wounded in a shooting at Costco store in Cascades Plaza, Sterling, Virginia, at around 3:00 p.m. local time today reports WLJA.

This is a breaking story so please stay tuned for updates.

Here’s what we know so far…

1. Deputies Shot the Woman After Stun Gun ‘Did Not Work’

Deputies originally tried to subdue the woman with a stun-gun at the deli counter in the store, as she persisted in attacking them with a knife. When they were unable to suppress her, they fired live rounds at the woman, killing her. Sheriff Mike Chapman told reporters the stun gun simply “did not work.”

2. Deputies Were Called When an Employee Reported “Disorderly Conduct”

Initial reports said that the woman was armed with a knife, although one sheriff’s deputy was shot in the leg in the incident. It’s unclear if the woman was armed or he was caught in the crossfire. Employees report hearing up “five shots.” Authorities are now investigating as to whether or not the deputy was injured by a bullet or some shrapnel.

Loudon Sheriff Mike Chapman has said the all shots were fired by one deputy.

3. The Woman Was a Contracted Employee to Costco

It’s been reported that the woman was handing out free pizza samples before she began acting bizarre. It’s believed she was employed by Club Demonstration Services, Inc.

4. It’s Being Reported as an Isolated Incident

There is no further threat to the public and the area has been secured. NBC Washington reports that people, including children, were seen fleeing the store after the shooting.

5. The Case is Eerily Similar to a 2010 Costco Shooting in Las Vegas

In 2010, a man named Erik Scott was shot and killed by police at a Las Vegas Costco. It was later proven that Scott was armed and on a “high-level of prescription drugs.”

Scott’s family filed a law suit against law enforcement, claiming his constitutional rights were infringed, in a still pending case